]]>Rank testing is one of the biggest events in martial arts training. You get a chance to showcase your techniques and move up in rank on your journey to black belt and beyond. The time in between tests ranges from 2 months up to a few years for the higher ranks. (My next testing is next summer if all goes according to plan.) The test is where you get graded on what you have been learning since your last testing. It looks like a team event as we train together but it is an individual test. Unlike other sports your success isn’t tied to other team mates. Can it be a high pressure situation? Most certainly. Some people step it up and perform better at testing than they ever do in class while others struggles with nervousness at the big event. Here are some key things to consider and some insight into testing.

BEFORE
If you are testing you are physically ready! All students must show us the curriculum prior to getting permission to test. However that doesn’t guarantee that you will get everything correct at the actual event. Some amazing students mess up at testing from time to time. It is like studying for a school test at home, getting them all right repeatedly, then missing some when test time comes at school. It happens.
Plan ahead and arrive early. It is much easier to get into your testing mindset if you are not late or rushed. We prepare the students with a warm up and review prior to their test. If you are late you miss this important step that aids in your success. We want everyone to pass. That is why we pre-qualify everyone with their stripes.

DURING
This is where it all happens. You know the material or you wouldn’t be here. Go out there with confidence and give it 100% of you. You aren’t testing against anyone (it is extra awesome if you are the sharpest student out there on the floor).
Form keys-stances, accuracy of technique, power, tempo (not a race)
Sparring keys-hands up, use combinations not just single moves, use both sides of body not just your favorite leg, show a variety of techniques, use advanced expected for your experience level, keep moving (you will be tired don’t give in to the fatigue), block well, show offense and defense (it’s not a tournament it’s a test)
Board breaking keys-accuracy is key (focus on the middle of the board), don’t stop at the board always aim past the board, you get 3 attempts but try to break on your first as the pressure grows with each attempt, if the board is way high or low ask the board holder to adjust it (they are going to put it in the right spot 95% of the time but be ready to adjust)
Testing question keys-speak up, I’d rather hear a guess than for a student to shrug their shoulders in silence.

AFTER
Celebrate the effort and accept the result. Pass or fail we are proud of everyone for the effort they put into getting to class and getting prepared for your test. Are you going to pass every test? It happens but most have a no change (not passing-not changing rank). Just like you can’t expect your favorite football team to win every game (I’m a Cowboys fan so I know this all too well) you can’t expect to pass every test. Just like pretty much every sport their can be setbacks or a loss. I rarely hear about kids quitting let’s say football because they had a bad game and they lost but it happens in martial arts. There is a lot to learn about yourself and your technique from failing a test. What area do I need more work on? Did I take it for granted that I would just go out there and pass? Did I demonstrate to my full ability?

Sometimes a no change is the best thing that ever happened to some students. They get more determined than ever to pass for that next belt. Some students have more no changes than others just like in life everyone is different. A no change doesn’t mean we don’t like you it means we see more potential in you than maybe you even see. We want to bring that potential to the surface. We would love for everyone to pass but we can’t control what they do at their testing and we can’t just promote someone because we like them. We like all our students. I love getting to teach you guys and see you progress and grow as students.

If you pass celebrate and encourage others that may not have passed. They may need a bit of encouragement over the first week or so. Also evaluate your testing. What would you like to do better next time?
Remember it’s all about progress not perfection. (Next blog post coming soon)

]]>http://trmabridgecity.com/testing-beforeduringafter/feed/0Summertime Energy Crisis? Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Bridge City’s Summer Program Can Help You Harness IT!http://trmabridgecity.com/summertime-energy-crisis-tiger-rock-martial-arts-of-bridge-citys-summer-program-can-help-you-harness-it/
http://trmabridgecity.com/summertime-energy-crisis-tiger-rock-martial-arts-of-bridge-citys-summer-program-can-help-you-harness-it/#respondTue, 17 May 2016 19:31:37 +0000http://trmabridgecity.com/?p=762Most parents experience some dread as the end of the school year approaches, knowing that | Read More

]]>Most parents experience some dread as the end of the school year approaches, knowing that their child’s entertainment and fulfillment is now entirely on their shoulders all day long. We at Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Bridge City can help you focus and direct your child’s energy toward positive life lessons and physical activity. We will keep your child’s body active learning movement, blocks, strikes, kicks, agility, Bully Know and so much more. We will keep your child’s mind active and focused learning valuable life skills utilizing the Tiger Rock Tenets of Honor, Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Courage, Community, Strength, Humility and Knowledge. While your child trains, you get to relax in our comfortable academy and recharge your batteries as you watch your child strive to learn new skills and reach goals building confidence in their abilities.

]]>Why Tiger Rock Martial Arts? I’ve been asked this question many times over the past 12 years. There are many reasons to pursue Martial Arts training. The most obvious reason someone would choose to try martial arts is to learn to defend themselves and keep their family safe. Through Martial Arts training a student becomes proficient and effective in combating physical assaults of many types but, most importantly, students learn that there are many ways to avoid escalating a conflict to the point of physical contact. By being aware of our surroundings and avoiding many common pitfalls, Martial Artists become adept at assessing potentially dangerous situations and avoiding them. It is said that one trains in Martial Arts to become so proficient that they never need to use it. Of course, I am paraphrasing but the sentiment is the same. Through continuous training in the Martial Arts students develop a much greater sense of confidence. As students exude strong signs of confidence they no longer give off the ‘victim vibe’ and therefore, are less likely to be confronted by those who would do them or their family harm. Although this is the most common reason student begin their journey in Martial Arts it is by no means the only reason. We will continue to explore these reasons in future posts.

]]>Tiger-Rock Martial Arts of Bridge City is pleased to welcome Dr. He-Young Kimm, the founder of HanMuDo to the academy for an engaging seminar on hanmudo on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at the TRMA Bridge City Academy!

]]>http://trmabridgecity.com/bridge-city-welcomes-dr-kimm/feed/0Parent’s Night Out – August 22!http://trmabridgecity.com/parents-night-out-august-22/
http://trmabridgecity.com/parents-night-out-august-22/#respondThu, 20 Aug 2015 18:06:42 +0000http://trmabridgecity.com/?p=558Sign up for Parent’s Night Out this Saturday evening at the academy! [formidable id=”9″]

]]>http://trmabridgecity.com/parents-night-out-august-22/feed/0PARENTS: What is more important the Why or the Want?http://trmabridgecity.com/parents-what-is-more-important-the-why-or-the-want/
http://trmabridgecity.com/parents-what-is-more-important-the-why-or-the-want/#respondTue, 18 Aug 2015 16:16:17 +0000http://trmabridgecity.com/?p=554PARENTS: What is more important the Why or the Want? Let me elaborate on what | Read More

Let me elaborate on what I am really asking. I have been teaching martial arts for about 10 years now and at least 65% of our students are children. Working with children this often, you could easily be considered a child development expert in some eyes.

Parents frequently enroll their children in our program with specific reasons: ADHD, Asperger Syndrome, too shy, too energetic, not focused, overweight, poor balance, self-defense, bully issues, lack of self-discipline, needs a strong role model beside a parent and the list could go on.

Stay with me, I am almost to the point. A student finishes their intro lessons and the parents see how beneficial our Tiger Rock Martial Arts system will help with any one of the examples I listed.

Parents decide to enroll their child in our program because they know it will help and then the kicker question: ” I hope they stay interested…”

Here is the point you have been waiting for.

Your why has to be greater then your want.

If your child has a weight problem, severely affecting their health, do you really think they want to be told no more sweets, you have to exercise instead of playing video games? A child with ADHD will often shy away from challenges because they lack the focus to perform the required number of repetitions to accomplish the goal.

A child with Asperger Syndrome does not want to be taken out of their comfort zone, but will be exposed to many challenges in life doing just that. Do you hide them from society?

Kids will often “want” to do something else because they lack the mental development to see long term benefits until they mature; then they experience regret. Regret that they quit an activity, sport, or instrument that they would have been great at with time and repetition.

I believe it is our job, as parents, to let the “why” you should do this override their “want” to do it. Most often kids are happy doing the activity they did not want to do once quitting is not longer not an option.

I do agree that these statements I am making are not as simple as “Black and White.” Sometimes it is time to move on to something else, but parents should not be so quick to give in.

One parent expressed to me her son wanted to quit guitar lessons. It did not make sense to this boy’s mother based on his past demonstration of passion for the instrument. Instead of letting her son quit, the mother tried a younger more “hip” teacher who allowed her son to pick the music he wanted to play. Several years later her son is still playing guitar.

Parents, I don’t have all the answers and make a great deal of parenting mistakes too. No one has all the magic answers. I do know this, kids today seem to quit activities more often then they did years ago and we need to help them succeed.

]]>http://trmabridgecity.com/parents-what-is-more-important-the-why-or-the-want/feed/0The Road To Nationalshttp://trmabridgecity.com/the-road-to-nationals/
http://trmabridgecity.com/the-road-to-nationals/#respondFri, 20 Feb 2015 07:11:15 +0000http://trmabridgecity.com/?p=337In less than ONE month, Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Bridge City will be invading | Read More

]]>In less than ONE month, Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Bridge City will be invading Frisco, Texas to take part in the Tiger-Rock National Championships! We couldn’t be more excited.

Have you registered for the National Championships? If you have not, make sure you go to http://www.tigerrockchampionships.com/ today! We’re looking to represent our school with pride AND numbers so register today!